Abstract

CORDERO-SOLIS, Juan José et al. The evaluation of knowledge to authorize the professional practice of Medicine: Experience of Costa Rica. Acta méd. costarric [online]. 2024, vol.66, n.4, pp.20-26. ISSN 0001-6002.  http://dx.doi.org/10.51481/amc.v66i4.1424.

In Costa Rica, since August 2023, authorization to practice General Medicine professionally requires successful completion of the Medical Knowledge Examination of Costa Rica (ECOM-CR). This examination is a requisite for membership in the Colegio de Médicos y Cirujanos de Costa Rica (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Costa Rica), as mandated by its organic law and implemented through Executive Decree No. 43769-S. The ECOM-CR is a computer-based assessment comprising 140 multiple-choice clinical case scenarios. These scenarios are drawn from seven core areas and twenty subareas of professional medical practice. Following a pilot validation program conducted in February 2023 with 450 volunteer physicians, the ECOM-CR has been administered biannually, with four administrations to date. This review aims to inform the scientific community by describing the background and relevant aspects of the ECOM-CR’s development and systematic implementation. It further considers current regulations to assure the Costa Rican population that physicians incorporated into the aforementioned College have demonstrated certified medical knowledge requisite for professional practice.

Keywords : ECOM-CR; general practitioners; medical licensure; professional certification..

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